Pistol catapult



April 14, 1942. F, GENSMER I 2,279,457 7 PISTOL CATAPULT Filed Jan. 31, 1940 Patented Apr. 14, 1942 T mm I msror. CATAPULT Theodore F. Gensmer, Portland, Oreg. Application January 31, 1940, Serial No. 316,528

Claims.

This invention relates to a pistol catapult of the type having a short runway on a pistol grip,

and employing an elastic propelling means releasable by a trigger mechanism.

A general object of the invention is to provide a device for propelling a small object, such as an aeroplane, from the hand by a conveniently manipulable mechanism of few parts and inexpensive construction.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a pistol catapult for model aeroplanes, gliders, and the like, which will permit of launching said aeroplanes or gliders in various positions and directions to facilitate the acrobatic flights thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in one embodiment, a form of pistol catapult wherein the runway and pistol grip stock may be stamped from a single metal blank of uniform width.

These and other objects will appear from the detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in

which: 7

Figure l is a perspective view of a preferredembodiment, and illustrates a toy glider in rest position, and also in flying position as it leaves the catapult.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the catapult device of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a detail of the elastic anchoring means employed in the embodiment of Figure 1, taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a modification.

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective view, partially broken away, showing a second modification.

Figure 9 is a section on the line 9--9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the underside of the frame portion of the device illustrated in Figure 8.

It will be seen that the embodiment of the catapult illustrated in Figure 1 is constructed from two pieces of metal and an elastic propelling means. A single piece or blank of metal, which may be conveniently stamped from a metal tape, forms the runway, the frame, and the pistol grip stock, while a second piece of metal in the form of a wire forms the trigger and elastic release. v

The metal blank above referred to is illustrated generally at l and is shaped at one end to function as, and simulate, a pistol grip 2. It will be noted that thepistol grip portion, as well as the rest ofv the blankl, is of U or channel shape, and that the depth and width of the channel vary throughout the length of 'the blank to perform various functions. 'At' the termination of the upper end of. the pistol grip 2 the channel form is made narrow with parallel/side walls as shown at 3. Forward'of the narrow portion 3 is a constricted'portion 4 for a purpose. later to I be described. Forward of theconstrictionl is a rest channel 5, having substantially parallel side walls similar to the portion 3. Beyond the rest channel 5 and extending to the end of the blank is the substantially semi-cylindrical portion forming the runway 6. On the lower side of. the runway 6, substantially at the forward end thereof, a spring tab 1 is struck up in the manner more particularly illustrated in Figure 5, leaving the notch or. aperture 8 in the material of the blank. A rubber band 9, or'. other convenient elastic means, maybe retained or anchored by the tab 1 as illustrated.

A narrow portion 3 contains drill holes II in both sides of the. channel to pivotally carry'the wire forming the trigger member, indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral l2. The trigger I2 is formed from a single piece of wire bent in the manner shown. The portion l3 forms a journal for pivotal action in the drill holes II. An

angular portion 14 is directed forwardly when the trigger is in the position illustrated, and

carries in right angular relationship therewith the upstanding loop l5 which is of inverted U- shape and constitutes a releasable detent for retaining a loop ofthe elastic 9 in extended or stretched condition. One end of the inverted U l5 proceeds from, and is a continuation of, the angular portion :4, and the other end of the inverted U is free and extends vertically downward in the position illustrated to form a finger piece it. The angular relationship of these various parts is best illustrated in Figure 1, reference also being made to Figure 5i. This angular relationship is such that tension from the elastic between the tab '1 and the detent l5 is exerted in a line substantially through the journal it. In this manner the friction ofthe elastic on the detent, I5 is sufhcient to retain it there- 7 on until suflicient pressure is applied in a backward direction on the finger piecellS to causes the narrowportion 3 of the channel to force the elastic over the top edge of the detent i5 as the latter is caused to move downwardly. In no event will the tension of the elastic 9 operate by itself to release the elastic from the detent IS. The downwardly extending finger piece I6 is bent or biased slightly inwardly toward the narrow portion 3 of the channel to frictionally engage the latter to provide a smooth trigger-like action, and to prevent casual displacement and loss of the trigger. If desired, both legs of the inverted u |5- maybe biasedtinwardlyto. frictionally engage both opposite sides of the narrow portion 3. It will be seen that by rotating the trigger |2 substantially ninety degrees counterclockwise from the position illustrated in Figure l, the finger piece I6 will be raised free ofthe blank I. In this position the trigger may be removed and inserted without'bending or deforming any of the parts, wherebyfthe trigger may be assembled, in production, withthe blank I without careful attention or special skill. .aA'glider: having a wing |8,itail'surface I9, "and an attachedweight 2B, is illustrated in rest position by dash lines in Figure l. In the glider illustrated, the wing it and the tail surface l9 are frictionally retained in a body portion 2| by means of slots in said body portion through which the wing and tail surface are passed. The Wide part of the channel forming the runway 6 exerts no particular restraining effect upon the glider, but-merely exertsa general guiding in- 'fluence as the glider is about to leave the catathe lower part of body portion 2| of the glider so that if desired the catapult may be turned on its side and still retain the glider in rest position. The widthof the channel in theportion 5 is such as to accurately align and retain the glider, but is wide enough to prevent undue sliding friction therewith. The restricted portion 4 serves as a stop for positioning the glider in the proper placein the rest portion 5.

A vertical portion 22 is provided on the body 2| to receivethe propelling force of the elastic 9 when the same is released from the detenton the trigger member. When the trigger is operated by means of the finger piece I6, the detent l5 swings downwardly; causing the upper "edges of the narrow channel 3 to force the elastic Qfreeof the upper edge of said detent. Theelastic.9 then snaps forward engaging the vertical portionr'22and imparting to. the glider an impetus which will? discharge it from the'runway 6 at high velocity on'its takeoff, as'shown in fullrlines in Figure 1. 5

The sectional view in' Figure 2 illustrates in detail how the blank I is shaped to form the rest portion 5, slidably engaging the body 2| "of the glider so that the catapult may be turned on its side and still retain the glider therein,

but with insufiicient friction to impede the launching. The sectional view in Figure 3 illustrates'the contour of the runway 6 with respect to the body'portion 2| of the glider as it passes therethrou'gh.

The modification illustrated in Figure 6 is constructed on the general principles of the first described embodiment, but employs a channeled member of uniform cross section throughout.

This modification is, constructed in three parts,

uniform cross section throughout its entire length. An elastic 29 is employed to furnish the propelling force, and may be conveniently retained by a slot 34 in the forward end of the channel 25, The trigger member 21 is made in the same manner as the trigger l2 in the embodiment of Figure 1, and is carried in the drill holes 3| in the channel member 25. The pistol grip 26 is illustrated as constructed of a single pieceof wire. received .at..its.. ends. in the drill holes 32 and. 33, respectively. If desired, a pin 2'4 may be suitably positioned to form a stop. corresponding to the constricted portion 4 in Figure Inoperation, the elastic 29 is looped over the upstanding detent formed on the trigger 21,

'pult. The rest portion 5 with its substantially parallel side walls is designed to loosely retain (self to manufacture in :grip 38, and securing If-the channel 35 is through th drill holes 3|, assisted by the friction of the elastic against the detent. When the trigger. is operated, the-elastic will be released to engage a portion of i an object to be dis- ..charged from the catapult in the manner described in connection with the device of Figure 1. Sinc the channel in the modification of Figure 6 is of uniform cross section, planes or missiles of different varieties may be used therewith when it is not desired to obtain an especially close guiding fit between the channel and the missile.

Figur 8 illustrates a second modification employing the same general principles illustrated in the devices of Figures 1 and 6. The channel 35 is represented as being of uniform contour,

but it may be constructed with a narrow rest portion as illustrated: at 5 in Figure l, and it may have a stop constructed therein by means of a constriction, as illustrated at 4 in Figure 1. The rear end portions of the channel walls are shown as crimped together at 35, leaving a bottom opening 31 through which passes the pistol-grip or stock 38. A second bottom opening 39 provides passage for the trigger member which is pivoted on a pin 4| carried in the channel walls. The notch or slot 42 in the trigger 40 serves as a detent for releasably securing the elastic propelling means in a stretched or extended condition. The slot 42 is .so'positioned with respect to the pivot 4| that the line of tension of the elastic means will pass substantially through the pin 4|, whereby friction with the edge of the slot will retain the elasticmeans therein. As in the previously described embodiment, operation of the trigger piece. causes the upper edges of the channel 35 to force the elastic out of the slot and operatively engage a glider or a missile resting in the channel.

The construction of Figure 8 readily lends iteither Wood or metal. If the channel 35 is constructed of wood, of course -the end portions would not be crimped as described at 36, but would merely be secured together by suitable means, or could be allowed to terminate even with the rear edge of the pistol means passed therethrough.

constructed of metal, the elastic, not shown, may be retained at its forward end as shown in Figure 5. If the channel 35 is constructed of wood, the elastic may be redevice of Figure 8 performs in the same manner asthe operation described'for the ures land 5.

tained as shown in Figure 6. In operation, the

devices of Fig- There is thus illustrated and described a pistolcatapult in three forms which may be used for discharging missiles, model aeroplanes, gliders, and the like, conveniently from the hand of an operator, and in which the device may be canted into a sidewise position while still retaining its glider therein to perform various acrobatic gyrations not possible with conventional catapult devices, and still retaining a high degree of control over the direction and impetus imparted to the glider.

Certain features of this invention may be used singly or in combination, and I deem myself entitled to all such features and the uses thereof as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having now described my invention'and in what manner the same may be used, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a pistol catapult, a trigger member for releasing an elastic, said trigger member being adapted for pivotal mounting in a pair of aligned openings a predetermined distance below the upper edge portion of said catapult, said trigger being formed from a single piece of stiff wire one end portion of which provides a journal in said aligned openings, the central portion of which is of inverted U-shape and provides a detent for releasably engaging said elastic, and the other end portion of which extends downwardly from one of the arms of said inverted U to form a finger piece for said trigger member and to retain said trigger member in said aligned openings, the plane of said U being offset from said aligned openings by an amount greater than said predetermined distance whereby said trigger member may be rotated to cause said U-shaped portion and said finger piece to clear said catapult for removal therefrom without deformation.

2. A pistol catapult comprising a single strip of metal forming a channel shaped runway having a pistol grip at one end thereof, said channel at the termination of the upper end of the pistol grip having parallel side walls and forming a bearing for the trigger, a trigger comprising a single piece of wire, one end of said wire extending through said side walls and forming a journal for rotation therein, an angular portion of said wire directed forwardly from said journal exteriorly of one said side wall, an inverted U-shaped loop formed in the mid-portion of said wire and carried in right angular relationship to said forwardly directed portion, said loop extending across said channel from side to side, and being rotatable into position to project above the edges of said channel, one end of the inverted 'U-shaped loop extending from and being a conallel side walls so spaced apart as to frictionally engage an object to be discharged from the catapult and releasably hold it therewithin, said runway terminating in a constricted portion forming a stop, said trigger comprising a single piece of stiff wire having a bearing portion on one end thereof journaled between said stop and said pistol grip, said wire having an inverted U-shaped loop in its mid-portion rotatable into position to project above the edges of said runway, one of the arms of said U-shaped loop being extended downwardly to form a finger piece on the other end of said wire.

4. A pistol catapult comprising a single strip of metal forming a channel shaped member and providing a pistol grip at one end thereof, a trigger journaled in the side walls of said channel adjacent the upper end of the pistol grip,

a constriction in said channel immediately forward of said trigger forming a stop for positioning an object to be discharged from the catapult,

said channel immediately forward of said constriction having parallel side walls so spaced apart as to frictionally engage said object and releasably hold it therewithin, said channel forward of said parallel walls being of substantially cylindrical shape and forming a runway.

5. A pistol catapult comprising a single strip of metal forming a channel shaped member having a pistol grip at one end thereof, a trigger 'journaled in the side walls of said channel adjacent the upper end of the pistol grip, said channel immediately forward of said trigger having parallel side walls so spaced apart as to frictionally engage an object to be discharged from the catapult and releasably hold it therewithin, said channel forward of said parallel walls being of substantially enlarged cross section an forming a runway.

I THEODORE F. GENSMER. 

